Agent 007’s exploits in the Secret Service are legendary. From Ian Fleming, who created the original character, to Anthony Horowitz, who wrote the latest incarnation, James Bond has featured in innumerable variations over the years.
In this article, we will be looking at all the James Bond books in order of release.
The History Of 007
Before Ian Fleming began writing seriously, Fleming was a Lieutenant in the Special Branch of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve during World War 2. It was during this time that he began collecting ideas and inspiration for his own stories.
When Fleming retired in his senior years and relocated to Jamaica, he went on to write 12 full novels and 9 short stories. By the time Fleming passed away in 1964, three of the Bond films had been adapted and released.
While there are only 12 novels and 9 short stories under Fleming’s name, there are over 60 stories that can be read about Bond’s adventures. Below, we have listed each of the stories, by the numerous authors from over the years, in order of release.
Bond finds himself in the domain of the king of corruption, Mr. Big. Bond is his next subject of betrayal and brutality, along with Solitaire, Mr. Big’s prisoner.
Pros
An intricate plot with plenty of clearly painted characters and worlds.
In this book, Bond’s sharp humor is highlighted for the first time.
Cons
This book is politically incorrect throughout, with casual mentions of racism and misogyny.
Bond is dispatched to look into M’s suspicions that mysterious millionaire Drax cheated at cards in a prestigious gentlemen’s club. Bringing the fraud to light simply makes Drax more irate, creating more problems.
Pros
A suspenseful book that will hold the reader’s attention.
Fleming writes in a very detailed manner that is very precise and powerful.
Cons
Readers have complained that the book’s final chapter, which describes a card game, is unnecessary.
Bond breaks into a criminal ring as a network for exporting diamonds becomes exposed. Tiffany Case, his greatest hope at locating the mysterious individual in charge of the scheme, proves to be an unexpected companion.
Pros
The novel has excellent momentum.
Due to her terrible past, Tiffany Case forms a compelling counterpoint to Bond.
Cons
Some people have complained that there aren’t enough action scenes in this book.
No secret operative is more despised by SMERSH than agent 007. Tatiana Romanova, a gorgeous Russian agent in connection with SMERSH, is assigned a task that starts with luring and charming Mr. Bond.
Pros
A thrilling spy story that takes place in the Cold War.
A true page-turner that will compel the reader to pick up the following book immediately.
Cons
With sporadic references to misogyny, this novel is politically incorrect throughout.
The book contains several drawn-out passages that seem more like a travel guide than an integral part of the story.
Dr. Julius No, a secretive tyrant with metal pincers for hands, is the inevitable target of Bond’s investigation after he has been sent by M to look into the disappearance of an MI6 operative.
Pros
A wonderful build-up precedes the action in this rough journey.
From Jamaica to the UK, Fleming’s depicts each region in exquisite detail.
Cons
There is a lot of overt racism and misogyny, which could offend some readers.
The wealthiest man in England, and owner of massive metal stockpiles, Auric Goldfinger, has raised the interest of MI6 officials. It’s up to Bond to uncover Goldfinger’s inventive gold smuggling operation.
Pros
The reader is kept on the edge of their seat by the rapid-fire action.
A first-rate thriller with outstanding character development.
Cons
The novel contains significant sexism and homophobia, e.g., Bond’s ‘conversion’ of a lesbian.
This spectacular compilation of five stories, a break from the novels, follows Bond as he travels the globe and comes into contact with a variety of hazardous foes.
Pros
The five-story format does a great job of holding the reader’s attention.
Fleming’s superb writing gives the already recognizable characters further depth.
Cons
Many instances of discriminatory slurs are mentioned, which could offend some readers.
Bond has one week to track down some missing explosives when a terrorist organization’s commander hijacks an American airliner carrying atomic weapons.
Pros
A compellingly realistic narrative with numerous action moments that will keep all readers on edge.
Another extremely well written piece of fiction from Fleming.
Cons
There is a lot of explicit racism and misogyny, which can upset some readers.
Bond has prepared for some downtime since Operation Thunderball left him reeled. His plans backfire when his tire blows close to a motel that is home to brutal assassins intent on wreaking havoc.
Pros
Interestingly, this tale is portrayed from a different perspective, showing Bond through the viewpoint of a complete stranger.
Although it has a slower beginning, the second half picks up in pace and builds to a thrilling conclusion.
Cons
Despite being narrated from a female’s perspective, this book contains a lot of sexism.
Bond is ready to marry Teresa di Vicenzo, a Corsican Mafia family member, uninformed of a certain imminent threat. His plans fall apart in an explosion of bullets in which neither side remains unscathed.
Pros
All readers will be kept on edge by this quick moving plot.
A real page-turner with some surprising plot twists and fresh, interesting characters.
Cons
Some argue that this book lacks character development and plot compared to Fleming’s other works.
Bond is battling to get back on his feet after losing a loved one. In an effort to revive 007, M dispatches him to Japan, on an operation into the hideout of a vengeful and dangerous foe.
Pros
The story has remarkable cultural and socioeconomic elements.
A well-written novel that works well as a stand-alone.
Cons
This book doesn’t seem to have as much of the earlier books’ storytelling flair.
Compared to its predecessors, there are not as many action moments.
Bond is granted one final opportunity to regain M’s trust by killing Scaramanga. He quickly learns that the hit man’s nefarious enterprises in Jamaica have evolved to encompass industrial destruction, narcotics trafficking, and arson.
Pros
Another engaging story with an abundance of detail.
Both as a single tale and a conclusion to Bond’s adventures, this novel excels.
Cons
Due to Fleming’s passing before completion, this story feels incomplete/less developed than his other works.
In a compilation of four adventures, published as Fleming’s final Bond novel, 007 is once again thrust into crisis, and questions how to get himself out of it.
Pros
These tales present the reader with a Bond who is harsher and more professional than they have ever seen.
A brief yet effective conclusion from Fleming.
Cons
All the elements that make the Bond novels good—grand antagonists, combat, and suspense—are absent from this series.
When M is abducted and his house staff is brutally killed, Bond is once again called to reprise his duties in the first 007 continuation story released following Ian Fleming’s passing.
Pros
The majority of readers hail Amis as a natural replacement for Fleming.
A great book with some interesting turns along the way.
Cons
Some readers have complained that the plot occasionally drags.
In Gardner’s debut Bond book, 007 is tasked with tracking down a terrorist and a genius nuclear physicist who are plotting to hijack nuclear power facilities all around the world.
Pros
Gardner does an excellent job at writing Bond, following in the footsteps of Fleming and Amis.
An entertaining 007 tale that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Following what appears to be SPECTRE’s dissolution, a string of homicides and hijackings reveals the unfathomable. In his most dangerous assignment to date, Bond confronts the successor to Blofeld’s diabolical enterprise.
Pros
Gardner adds his deeper knowledge of modern technology while keeping much of Fleming’s flair.
A lot of story development that results in an overall strong plot.
Cons
Some readers criticize the conclusion as being hurried and poorly constructed.
Bond is suddenly unemployed after abruptly departing the British Secret Intelligence Service. SPECTRE was among the first to ask for 007’s assistance, thus he must first demonstrate his allegiance.
Pros
A clever method for transforming James Bond’s persona.
The unexpected twist will make readers question their assumptions.
Cons
The plot, according to some readers, is out-of-date and uninspired.
While on the run, Bond must traverse Europe in a vicious cat-and-mouse game with the world’s best killers while attempting to preserve the lives of the two ladies who mean the most to him.
Pros
A compelling narrative with a violent, thrilling climax.
With this book, Gardner appears to be truly fitting into his position as a Bond author.
Cons
At this stage in the series, the plot feels a little inflated and implausible.
A maze of double-crossing in Ireland propels a weaponless Bond to a perplexing encounter in a secluded area of Hong Kong, where he is being pursued by four attackers.
Pros
Unlike the plot of the last book, this novel’s storyline is believable and realistic.
The reader’s interest is maintained by the unexpected twists.
Cons
Many readers criticise this entry for having too much action and not enough story.
Bond is assigned to assist with an investigation after a corpse is discovered carrying his phone number. He faces yet another desperate situation as terrorist attacks spread throughout Britain.
Pros
An engaging book with just the right amount of tension and action.
Cons
There are too many coincidences and plot holes throughout the narrative.
When Bond learns that terrorists are preparing to attack a top-secret aircraft carrier, putting the safety of the world’s most powerful leaders in jeopardy, he once again must step in to take them down.
Pros
A wonderful thriller that is easy to read.
Packed with plenty of action, this book is a true page turner.
Cons
Once more, the plot occasionally borders on the unbelievable.
Since he no longer has a license to kill, Bond has become regarded as a rogue operative. He rapidly realizes, while he works on a fresh investigation, that things might go south very quickly.
Pros
Gardner does a fantastic job of personalizing the material, which is based on the 1989 film of the same name.
A thrilling book that is packed with excitement and action.
Cons
If you’re a fan of the movie, don’t expect to read anything entirely original in this book.
When several scientists working on a novel submarine detection system are abducted, Bond is assigned with researching a philanthropist with a disfigured hand, nicknamed ‘Brokenclaw’.
Pros
Brokenclaw is a fascinating villain with just the right amount of intensity to hold readers’ attention.
The plot is filled with tension and action.
Cons
Several elements in the plot, notably the conclusion, appear exceedingly improbable.
With the help of two French Secret Service agents and an Israeli Mossad agent, Captain James Bond has been tasked with infiltrating the Scales of Justice under the guise of a television team in order to learn their true intentions.
Pros
Very good characterizations are written by Gardner.
A compelling story with complex plotting.
Cons
This is considered one of Gardner’s weaker contributions to the Bond series, according to readers.
Following the strange deaths of two British spies in Germany, Bond is tasked with finding the remaining members of a Cold War-era intelligence organization.
Pros
The plot shows Bond seeking out a believable villain with realistic motives.
While the plot starts off slow, it ends with a thrilling climax that’ll captivate readers.
Cons
The first part of the book is very slow and can get a bit tiresome.
One thing seems certain when four prominent individuals are killed in less than a week: each of them was being hunted down and pursued. When MI5 approaches MI6 for assistance, M sends in the best.
Pros
The engaging storyline moves along quickly throughout.
With a fantastic twist at the conclusion, readers will be engrossed as they flip the pages.
Cons
This book is lacking the action that one would expect from a Bond story.
With a newly renewed license to kill, Bond is back to work. Even he, however, is surprised as an undercover operation quickly results in a homicide in Spain, a runaway in Israel, and neo-Nazi conspirators in Germany.
Pros
This story has lots of action and moves quickly.
Some interesting antagonists are introduced in this story.
Cons
The Nazi narrative feels done to death, and is quite predictable throughout.
With the help of his most recent high-tech invention, a power-hungry Russian leader named Janus intends to manipulate the financial markets in the West. It is up to Bond to foil his plans.
Pros
A tightly crafted novelization of the same-named film, which was released the same year.
An exciting story with lots of action and a great twist.
Cons
With a few minor additions, the novel substantially mimics the movie’s storyline.
A former lover of Bond’s is one of the casualties when Flight 229 is wrecked. 007 stumbles onto a community more dangerous than any terrorist organization as he hunts out the perpetrators of the wreck.
Pros
The plot is mostly well-done, with a few twists and turns along the way.
A fantastic, contemporary Bond tale.
Cons
The plot can be difficult to follow as the time frame shifts.
After oil tycoon Sir Robert King is assassinated in a blast at MI6 headquarters, his daughter inherits the attention of her father’s assassin. It’s up to Bond to keep her alive.
Pros
The book is beautifully written, paying close attention to every last detail.
Cons
Benson’s novelization is almost identical to the screenplay.
The Union, an international gang that specializes in assassination and aggression, has connections all around the globe. They become 007’s primary focus when they kill his friend.
Pros
This novel offers a fascinating peek inside Bond’s heart and psychological makeup.
A fantastically suspenseful tale with many twists and turns.
Cons
Both character depth and emotional expression are lacking.
With a vow of vengeance against Bond, the Union set out to undermine both his name and his conscience by seducing the spy into a perilous and unstable alliance.
Pros
A compelling narrative with lots of action.
The plot is incredibly plausible, making it a fantastic Bond novel.
Cons
Comparing this book to other Bond books, the writing is rather lackluster.
While trying to find Le Gerant, the head of the Union, Bond’s friend has vanished. Bond embarks on an exciting voyage as he attempts to overthrow the Union once more.
Pros
There is a lot of action and a compelling plot in this book.
Compares favorably to the last book in terms of character development and level of depth.
Cons
With the exception of the shocks near the conclusion, the remainder of the plot is unimpressive.
Bond travels the globe in an effort to expose a traitor and avert a world war that will have disastrous consequences.
Pros
Those who enjoyed the 2002 movie will like this novelization.
The characters in this book gain a little more nuance.
Cons
The movie’s script and the novel are virtually identical.
The Moneypenny Diaries (2005-2020) By Kate Westbrook
The Moneypenny series is narrated from the viewpoint of Bond’s coworker and comrade, Miss Jane Moneypenny, who also serves as M’s secretary. Here are the novels that make up the series:
In the remote suburbs of Paris, a horrific killing of an Algerian drug dealer triggers a series of events that Bond must halt before a worldwide disaster occurs.
Pros
A simple, entertaining read for the readers.
There are intriguing villains, enticing girls, and a great deal of action throughout the story.
As HQ decrypts an electronic whisper with the details of a devastating attack, it summons James Bond away from dining with a stunning woman with a Night Action alert.
Pros
A compelling adventure that the reader will enjoy.
Intriguing twists throughout, especially towards the end.
Cons
While being a decent read, some Bond enthusiasts contend that it is not a true Bond story.
Bond is called to headquarters after celebrating his 45th birthday and is given an intriguing assignment. A brutal civil conflict is ravaging a fragile region in West Africa, and Bond must put an end to it.
The counterintelligence service of the Soviet Union intends to destroy a Grand Prix race in Europe. The course of events changes unexpectedly as Bond gets behind the wheel.
Pros
A sleek, alluring account of a contemporary Bond.
There are numerous turns and twists to keep the reader wondering.
Cons
Many of the plot points, according to some readers, were rushed.
In an operation in which there is constant deceit and one wrong step can lead to his demise, Bond must face his most troubling self-reflections.
Pros
An evocative and exciting addition to the Bond series.
This is a thrilling spy thriller with a foundation in Cold War history.
Cons
Some readers claim that the plot was overly drawn out in certain places.
Final Thoughts
Each writer who has taken on the role of Bond has contributed their own special contribution to the series. Nonetheless, each book maintains the first book’s tense, suspenseful, and flawlessly sophisticated ambiance.
By following our list above, you can read each of the Bond stories in the order of their release, although it should be noted that these stories are not listed in chronological order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Was The Final Bond Novel Written By Ian Fleming?
The twelveth and last book in Fleming’s Bond series is The Man with the Golden Gun (1966).
Did James Bond Ever Get Married?
Teresa ‘Tracy’ Di Vicenzo is the only woman to have wed James Bond, in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1963).
Noah Burton works as a Librarian full time, and is a blogger in his spare time. His goal is to write compelling recommendations for all of the most popular books he can find, from science fiction to romance.
With a passion for books, a drive to find new reads to get stuck into, and a love for sharing book recommendations with others, Noah can help you find the next novel for your bucket list.
